When dealing with our own personal suffering, it is important to realize that God has a special call for each one of us. This includes a life vocation as well an every day invitation to follow Him.
Recently Pope Benedict exhorted the faithful to recognize Christ's call in their everyday lives and to look towards him as the only source of hope. "He lives now among the community of disciples that is the Church (importance of belonging to a parish), and still today calls people to follow him. The call can come at any moment. Today too, Jesus continues to say, "Come, follow me" (Mk 10:21)," the Pope said.
"Accepting his invitation means no longer choosing our own path. Following him means immersing our own will in the will of Jesus, truly giving him priority, giving him pride of place in every area of our lives: in the family, at work, in our personal interests, in ourselves. It means handing over our very lives to Him, living in profound intimacy with Him, entering through Him into communion with the Father in the Holy Spirit, and consequently with our brothers and sisters."
If we truly give Christ "priority" and die to ourselves by "no longer choosing" our own way, we can expect the cross, but also the grace to endure to the end.
Vocation
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Fathers
St. Joseph is a much needed model for fatherhood today. We see over and over again the negative effects of fatherless families. For the best part of thirty years we have been conducting a vast experiment with
the family, and now the results are in: the decline of the two-parent,
married-couple family has resulted in poverty, ill-health, educational failure,
unhappiness, anti-social behaviour, isolation and social exclusion for thousands
of women, men and children.
To be a Christian means to be a true man. Every man should strive to be like Christ.
Read sad statistics here
To be a Christian means to be a true man. Every man should strive to be like Christ.
Read sad statistics here
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Orthodoxy and Manhood
Face suffering like a man!
Men want a challenge. Orthodox Liturgy provides that. The term most commonly cited by men who attend Orthodox worship was “challenging.” Orthodoxy is “active and not passive.” “It’s the only church where you are required to adapt to it, rather than it adapting to you.” “The longer you are in it, the more you realize it demands of you.”
The “sheer physicality of Orthodox worship” is part of the appeal. Regular days of fasting from meat and dairy, “standing for hours on end, performing prostrations, going without food and water [before communion]…When you get to the end you feel that you’ve faced down a challenge.” “Orthodoxy appeals to a man’s desire for self-mastery through discipline.”
“In Orthodoxy, the theme of spiritual warfare is ubiquitous; saints, including female saints, are warriors. Warfare requires courage, fortitude, and heroism. We are called to be ‘strugglers’ against sin, to be ‘athletes’ as St. Paul says. And the prize is given to the victor. The fact that you must ‘struggle’ during worship by standing up throughout long services is itself a challenge men are willing to take up.”
A recent convert summed up, “Orthodoxy is serious. It is difficult. It is demanding. It is about mercy, but it’s also about overcoming oneself. I am challenged in a deep way, not to ‘feel good about myself’ but to become holy. It is rigorous, and in that rigor I find liberation. And you know, so does my wife.”
Men also appreciate that this challenge has a goal: union with God. One said that in a previous church “I didn’t feel I was getting anywhere in my spiritual life (or that there was anywhere to get to—I was already there, right?) But something, who knew what, was missing. Isn’t there SOMETHING I should be doing, Lord?”
Read the rest
The Triditine Rite in the Western Church corresponds with this. Bishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco recently stated:
Men want a challenge. Orthodox Liturgy provides that. The term most commonly cited by men who attend Orthodox worship was “challenging.” Orthodoxy is “active and not passive.” “It’s the only church where you are required to adapt to it, rather than it adapting to you.” “The longer you are in it, the more you realize it demands of you.”
The “sheer physicality of Orthodox worship” is part of the appeal. Regular days of fasting from meat and dairy, “standing for hours on end, performing prostrations, going without food and water [before communion]…When you get to the end you feel that you’ve faced down a challenge.” “Orthodoxy appeals to a man’s desire for self-mastery through discipline.”
“In Orthodoxy, the theme of spiritual warfare is ubiquitous; saints, including female saints, are warriors. Warfare requires courage, fortitude, and heroism. We are called to be ‘strugglers’ against sin, to be ‘athletes’ as St. Paul says. And the prize is given to the victor. The fact that you must ‘struggle’ during worship by standing up throughout long services is itself a challenge men are willing to take up.”
A recent convert summed up, “Orthodoxy is serious. It is difficult. It is demanding. It is about mercy, but it’s also about overcoming oneself. I am challenged in a deep way, not to ‘feel good about myself’ but to become holy. It is rigorous, and in that rigor I find liberation. And you know, so does my wife.”
Men also appreciate that this challenge has a goal: union with God. One said that in a previous church “I didn’t feel I was getting anywhere in my spiritual life (or that there was anywhere to get to—I was already there, right?) But something, who knew what, was missing. Isn’t there SOMETHING I should be doing, Lord?”
Read the rest
The Triditine Rite in the Western Church corresponds with this. Bishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco recently stated:
We get on to discussing why there is a relatively high number of young men pursuing vocations in seminaries dedicated to the Extraordinary Form. “The Old Rite corresponds more to a masculine spirituality in that the masculine psyche is one that protects, defends and provides, and during the Mass the priest is the one who dares to approach God to reconcile His people to him. In the Old Rite there is a greater sense of the priest as intercessor, offering a sacrifice for the people and bringing God’s gift to the people.”
While women may not become priests, Archbishop Cordileone clarifies that women do not in any way occupy second place. Instead, he pinpoints why women should be shown the highest respect and says that chivalrous practices such as holding a door open for a woman ought to be the norm. “A woman should walk out, ahead of the man, because she is the life-giver and, in holding a door for a woman, the man is recognising her special place as the one who gives life.” He says that mantillas, or chapel veils, are a way for a woman to veil their sacredness: “In Christian worship what is sacred is veiled, women are sacred because they are the life-givers.”
Thursday, December 20, 2012
God Exists
In order for God to help us in our struggles and sufferings, we must recognize that He does indeed exist. Fr. Robert Spitzer works tirelessly to promote arguments for God's existence.
Jesuit Father Robert Spitzer -- a philosopher, accountant, former university
president and leadership consultant -- always has had a fascination with the
intersection of faith and reason. He's smart enough to have debated physicist
Stephen Hawking, an avowed atheist, on national television over the scientific
underpinnings of the beginning of the universe and the theological arguments for
the existence of God. In a recent address in New Orleans, Father Spitzer said
the exciting news for the new evangelization being called for by Pope Benedict
XVI is the recent discoveries in "space-time geometry," prompting eminent
physicists to assert the cosmos had to have a beginning and thus had to have a
creator. On the occasion of Hawking's 70th birthday in January, physicist
Alexander Vilenkin, director of the Institute of Cosmology at Tufts University,
read a paper asserting just that. Science journalist Lisa Grossman, writing in
New Scientist, pithily described Vilenkin's presentation as "the worst birthday
present ever." If the rate of expansion of the universe is greater than zero --
something virtually all physicists agree on -- "at the end of the day we will
reach an absolute beginning point prior to which the universe and multiverse (a
combination of universes) were nothing," said Father Spitzer, founder and
president of the Spitzer Center for Ethical Leadership in Ann Arbor, Mich.
"Physical reality itself was nothing, and the one thing we know about nothing is
that it's nothing," he said. He also said that recent studies about near-death experiences point to God.
For years Dr. Eben Alexander III had dismissed near-death revelations of God and heaven as explainable by the hard wiring of the human brain. He was, after all, a neurosurgeon with sophisticated medical training.
But then in 2008 Dr. Alexander contracted bacterial meningitis. The deadly infection soaked his brain and sent him into a deep coma.
During that week, as life slipped away, he now says, he was living intensely in his mind. He was reborn into a primitive mucky Jell-o-like substance and then guided by “a beautiful girl with high cheekbones and deep blue eyes” on the wings of a butterfly to an “immense void” that is both “pitch black” and “brimming with light” coming from an “orb” that interprets for an all-loving God.
Dr. Alexander, 58, was so changed by the experience that he felt compelled to write a book, “Proof of Heaven,” that recounts his experience. He knew full well that he was gambling his professional reputation by writing it, but his hope is that his expertise will be enough to persuade skeptics, particularly medical skeptics, as he used to be, to open their minds to an afterworld.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Confession
The confessing of sins to a priest helps take away our burdens and ease our sufferings. When Jesus absolves our sins we are set free.
Here are 20 tips to make a good confession:
1) …examine our consciences regularly and thoroughly;
2) …wait our turn in line patiently;
3) …come at the time confessions are scheduled, not a few minutes before they are to end;
4) …speak distinctly but never so loudly that we might be overheard;
5) …state our sins clearly and briefly without rambling;
6) …confess all mortal sins in number and kind;
7) …listen carefully to the advice the priest gives;
8) …confess our own sins and not someone else’s;
9) …carefully listen to and remember the penance and be sure to understand it;
10) …use a regular formula for confession so that it is familiar and comfortable;
11) …never be afraid to say something “embarrassing”… just say it;
12) …never worry that the priest thinks we are jerks…. he is usually impressed by our courage;
13) …never fear that the priest will not keep our confession secret… he is bound by the Seal;
14) …never confess “tendencies” or “struggles”… just sins;
15) …never leave the confessional before the priest has finished giving absolution;
16) …memorize an Act of Contrition;
17) …answer the priest’s questions briefly if he asks for a clarification;
18) …ask questions if we can’t understand what he means when he tells us something;
19) …keep in mind that sometimes priests can have bad days just like we do;
20) …remember that priests must go to confession too … they know what we are going through.
Fr. Z's Blog
Here are 20 tips to make a good confession:
1) …examine our consciences regularly and thoroughly;
2) …wait our turn in line patiently;
3) …come at the time confessions are scheduled, not a few minutes before they are to end;
4) …speak distinctly but never so loudly that we might be overheard;
5) …state our sins clearly and briefly without rambling;
6) …confess all mortal sins in number and kind;
7) …listen carefully to the advice the priest gives;
8) …confess our own sins and not someone else’s;
9) …carefully listen to and remember the penance and be sure to understand it;
10) …use a regular formula for confession so that it is familiar and comfortable;
11) …never be afraid to say something “embarrassing”… just say it;
12) …never worry that the priest thinks we are jerks…. he is usually impressed by our courage;
13) …never fear that the priest will not keep our confession secret… he is bound by the Seal;
14) …never confess “tendencies” or “struggles”… just sins;
15) …never leave the confessional before the priest has finished giving absolution;
16) …memorize an Act of Contrition;
17) …answer the priest’s questions briefly if he asks for a clarification;
18) …ask questions if we can’t understand what he means when he tells us something;
19) …keep in mind that sometimes priests can have bad days just like we do;
20) …remember that priests must go to confession too … they know what we are going through.
Fr. Z's Blog
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Good and Evil
There is good and evil in this world because God exists. God didn't create evil or doesn't will it, but allows it.
Dr. Peter Kreeft
Dr. Peter Kreeft
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Division in Church
According to an old adage there is strength in numbers. That being said, the unity of Christians is essential, and is the will of Christ. In order to bear suffering and overcome evil we need the support of one another, we can't do it alone.
Find a parish that is faithful to the Gospel and join it. In this way God's grace will come upon you.
When speaking about the danger of division in the Church Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano recently stated, “There is a divisive strategy at work here, an intentional dividing of the Church; through this strategy, the body of the Church is weakened, and thus the Church can be more easily persecuted.”
Read the rest here in context
Find a parish that is faithful to the Gospel and join it. In this way God's grace will come upon you.
When speaking about the danger of division in the Church Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano recently stated, “There is a divisive strategy at work here, an intentional dividing of the Church; through this strategy, the body of the Church is weakened, and thus the Church can be more easily persecuted.”
Read the rest here in context
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Mary Full of Grace
Yesterday the Church celebrated the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. As such she is full of grace.
The Holy Father spoke on this, "Mary is called the 'favoured one' (Lk, 1:28). With this identity she reminds us of God's pre-eminence in our life and in the history of the world. She reminds us that the power of God's love is stronger than evil, and that it fills the void that selfishness creates in the history of people, families, nations and the world. Such emptiness can become hell, where human life is pulled towards the bottom and emptiness, losing meaning and light. The false remedies the world offers to fill the void, drug use above all, in fact widen the gap. Only love can save us from such a fall, but not any love. It must have the purity of Grace, which God transforms and renews to fill the lungs with fresh, clean air and new vital energy. Mary tells us that, as much as man can fall, he is never too low for God, who has descended in hell. However led astray our heart may be, God is always "greater than our heart' (1 Jn, 3:20). Grace's soft breath can disperse the darkest clouds, and make life beautiful and rich in meaning even under the most inhumane situations."
When you suffer and/or are struggling with evil, call on the Blessed Mother.
The Holy Father spoke on this, "Mary is called the 'favoured one' (Lk, 1:28). With this identity she reminds us of God's pre-eminence in our life and in the history of the world. She reminds us that the power of God's love is stronger than evil, and that it fills the void that selfishness creates in the history of people, families, nations and the world. Such emptiness can become hell, where human life is pulled towards the bottom and emptiness, losing meaning and light. The false remedies the world offers to fill the void, drug use above all, in fact widen the gap. Only love can save us from such a fall, but not any love. It must have the purity of Grace, which God transforms and renews to fill the lungs with fresh, clean air and new vital energy. Mary tells us that, as much as man can fall, he is never too low for God, who has descended in hell. However led astray our heart may be, God is always "greater than our heart' (1 Jn, 3:20). Grace's soft breath can disperse the darkest clouds, and make life beautiful and rich in meaning even under the most inhumane situations."
When you suffer and/or are struggling with evil, call on the Blessed Mother.
Friday, December 7, 2012
God Loves the Widow and Orphans
Often widows and orphans are people who suffer the most in society. Single mothers and children with no fathers statistically struggle. Fatherless children are at a dramatically greater risk of drug and alcohol
abuse, mental illness, suicide, poor educational performance, teen pregnancy,
and criminality.
Christians are called to be a source of help and comfort to these people. The Holy Father recently stated, "For this reason in the Bible, widows and orphans are people of whom God takes special care: they have last their earthly support but God is their Husband or their Father."
Read the rest
Christians are called to be a source of help and comfort to these people. The Holy Father recently stated, "For this reason in the Bible, widows and orphans are people of whom God takes special care: they have last their earthly support but God is their Husband or their Father."
Read the rest
Monday, December 3, 2012
Mystery of Suffering
Although a profound mystery Christianity helps us view suffering these 3 ways:
- Life is eternal. God is able to compensate anyone who suffers unjustly. We are immortal beings, it's not like we die and that's it. We will continue to exist for eternity. The sufferings of this life do not compare to the glory we will experience in heaven.
- God can bring good out of our suffering, even in ways we don't understand. Jesus Christ is the supreme example of this for Christians. Through the evil and horrendous act of crucifixion perpetrated upon Him, God was able to bring about the salvation of the world. In the same way God can take our own sufferings and make good come out of it for ourselves and others. That is by prayerfully and faithfully uniting our sufferings to Christ, God can bring good into the world.
- God is willing to suffer with us. God takes on human nature and gets on the cross to help us shoulder and bear our own suffering.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Faith is Personal but not Private
Jesus recognized the importance of a Christian community. This is why he established a Church. When we struggle or are suffering receiving support from our brothers and sisters in Christ is essential. They help us carry the burden. It is important to remember that although faith is personal, it should never be private.
The Holy Father recently stated:
"Certainly, the act of faith is an eminently personal act", he told the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square. "It is something which happens in the most intimate depths of my being and causes a change of direction, a personal conversion. ... But the fact that I believe is not the result of solitary reflection, ... it is the fruit of a relationship, a dialogue ... with Jesus which causes me to emerge from my 'I' ... and to open myself to the love of God the Father. It is like a rebirth in which I discover that I am united not only to Jesus but also to all those who have walked and continue to walk along His path. And this new birth, which begins with Baptism, continues throughout the course of a person's life.
"I cannot construct my personal faith in a private dialogue with Jesus", the Pope added, "because faith is given to me by God through a believing community which is the Church. And faith makes me part of a multitude of believers bound by a communion which is not merely sociological, but rooted in the eternal love of God. ... The Catechism of the Catholic Church states this very clearly: 'Believing is an ecclesial act. The Church's faith precedes, engenders, supports and nourishes our faith. The Church is the mother of all believers'".
Read the rest here
The Holy Father recently stated:
"Certainly, the act of faith is an eminently personal act", he told the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square. "It is something which happens in the most intimate depths of my being and causes a change of direction, a personal conversion. ... But the fact that I believe is not the result of solitary reflection, ... it is the fruit of a relationship, a dialogue ... with Jesus which causes me to emerge from my 'I' ... and to open myself to the love of God the Father. It is like a rebirth in which I discover that I am united not only to Jesus but also to all those who have walked and continue to walk along His path. And this new birth, which begins with Baptism, continues throughout the course of a person's life.
"I cannot construct my personal faith in a private dialogue with Jesus", the Pope added, "because faith is given to me by God through a believing community which is the Church. And faith makes me part of a multitude of believers bound by a communion which is not merely sociological, but rooted in the eternal love of God. ... The Catechism of the Catholic Church states this very clearly: 'Believing is an ecclesial act. The Church's faith precedes, engenders, supports and nourishes our faith. The Church is the mother of all believers'".
Read the rest here
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Good to be Old
Aging and becoming old doesn't necessarily have to a a source of suffering. Age can be a beautiful thing, even when our bodies break down. Certainly there is pain associated with physical illness, but we are more than a body. Character of the heart (born by suffering) and a calm disposition are "precious in the sight of God".
Read what the pope says about age
Read what the pope says about age
Saturday, November 24, 2012
We Catholics to Blame
At the beatification ceremony .. Pope Pius X .. who would of course be canonized a saint
as well .. said the following. It’s worth listening to and meditating on deeply.
"In our time more than ever before, the chief strength of the wicked, lies in the cowardice
and weakness of good men...All the strength of Satan’s reign is due to the
easy-going weakness of Catholics.
Oh! if I might ask the Divine Redeemer, as the prophet Zachary did in spirit: What
are those wounds in the midst of Thy hands? The answer would not be doubtful:
With these was I wounded in the house of them that loved Me. I was wounded by My
friends, who did nothing to defend Me, and who, on every occasion, made themselves
the accomplices of My adversaries.
And this reproach can be leveled at the weak and timid Catholics of all countries."
What too many Catholics fail to grasp about the faith is this – IT is the bulwark against
evil in the world and it alone. When it is failing at its task .. evil advances.
And when evil advances .. the enemy of the human race is able to seduce souls into Hell.
If this simple basic foundational jumping off starting off point of the faith is not
understood .. then none of the rest makes sense or CAN make sense.
In order to grasp this foundational point .. a person MUST believe and understand in
If we want to vercome evil and suffering we must become faithful
Christians, obedient to the teachings of the Church.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Not Just Rules
Christianity is more than simply a set of rules to follow. It is also a relationship. Through an intimate encounter with the Divine, human suffering becomes far more bearable.
Recently the Holy Father spoke on this subject:
Far from being just a moral or ethical code, Christianity is "an experience of love; it's welcoming the person of Jesus," Pope Benedict XVI said.
"Many people today have a limited concept of what the Christian faith is because they identify it with a mere system of beliefs and values and not with the truth of a God revealing himself in history, eager to communicate with humanity one-on-one in a relationship of love," he said.
Faith "isn't an illusion, escapism, a comfortable safe haven or sentimentalism," rather it is something that engages one's whole life and it proclaims the Gospel with courage, the pope said Nov. 14 during his weekly general audience.
United with God, people of faith are "not afraid of showing their beliefs in everyday life," and they are open to dialogue "that expresses deep friendship for the journey of every person."
Read the rest here
Recently the Holy Father spoke on this subject:
Far from being just a moral or ethical code, Christianity is "an experience of love; it's welcoming the person of Jesus," Pope Benedict XVI said.
"Many people today have a limited concept of what the Christian faith is because they identify it with a mere system of beliefs and values and not with the truth of a God revealing himself in history, eager to communicate with humanity one-on-one in a relationship of love," he said.
Faith "isn't an illusion, escapism, a comfortable safe haven or sentimentalism," rather it is something that engages one's whole life and it proclaims the Gospel with courage, the pope said Nov. 14 during his weekly general audience.
United with God, people of faith are "not afraid of showing their beliefs in everyday life," and they are open to dialogue "that expresses deep friendship for the journey of every person."
Read the rest here
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Overcoming Demons
Evil begets suffering. The saints realized this. St. John Cassian spent his life in spiritual combat. Spending time amongst the monks of Egypt who followed in the footsteps of St.
Antony the Great, St. John Cassian wrote down his conversations with them,
recording their spiritual wisdom and spreading it evangelically amongst the
Latin West (these writings are known as the Conferences). In addition,
he wrote a treatise on the monastic life known as the Institutes.
In this treatise, St. John Cassian outlines with a kind of battle-hardened wisdom the eight chief vices that cause us to fall into sin.
Here is his remedy:
Gluttony - "To eat moderately and reasonably is to keep the body in health, not to deprive it of holiness."
Unchastity - "We should therefore try to achieve not only bodily control, but also contrition of heart with frequent prayers of repentance, so that with the dew of the Holy Spirit we may extinguish the furnace of the flesh, kindled daily by the king of Babylon with the bellows of desire. In addition, a great weapon has been given us in the form of sacred vigils; for just as the watch we keep over our thoughts by day brings us holiness at night, so vigil at night brings purity to the soul by day."
Avarice - Cassian here speaks of renouncing the world and becoming a monk, admonishing monks to not slip back into desiring what they "already renounced". He also recommends that we "remember the hour of our death, so that our Lord does not come unexpectedly and, finding our conscience soiled with avarice, say to us what God says to the rich man in the Gospel: 'You fool, this night your soul will be required of you: who then will be the owner of what you have stored up?' (Luke 12:20)"
Anger - "Self-reform and peace are not achieved through the patience which others show us, but through our long-suffering towards our neighbour."
Dejection - "The only form of dejection we should cultivate is the sorrow which goes with repentance for sin and is accompanied by hope in God."
Listlessness - "'...patience, prayer, and manual labor.'"
Self-Esteem - "The person who wants to engage fully in spiritual combat... should not do anything with a view to being praised by other people,but who should seek God's reward only."
Pride - "...perfection in holiness can only be achieved through humility. Humility, in received turn, can be achieved only through faith, fear of God, gentleness, and the shedding of all possessions."
In this treatise, St. John Cassian outlines with a kind of battle-hardened wisdom the eight chief vices that cause us to fall into sin.
Here is his remedy:
Gluttony - "To eat moderately and reasonably is to keep the body in health, not to deprive it of holiness."
Unchastity - "We should therefore try to achieve not only bodily control, but also contrition of heart with frequent prayers of repentance, so that with the dew of the Holy Spirit we may extinguish the furnace of the flesh, kindled daily by the king of Babylon with the bellows of desire. In addition, a great weapon has been given us in the form of sacred vigils; for just as the watch we keep over our thoughts by day brings us holiness at night, so vigil at night brings purity to the soul by day."
Avarice - Cassian here speaks of renouncing the world and becoming a monk, admonishing monks to not slip back into desiring what they "already renounced". He also recommends that we "remember the hour of our death, so that our Lord does not come unexpectedly and, finding our conscience soiled with avarice, say to us what God says to the rich man in the Gospel: 'You fool, this night your soul will be required of you: who then will be the owner of what you have stored up?' (Luke 12:20)"
Anger - "Self-reform and peace are not achieved through the patience which others show us, but through our long-suffering towards our neighbour."
Dejection - "The only form of dejection we should cultivate is the sorrow which goes with repentance for sin and is accompanied by hope in God."
Listlessness - "'...patience, prayer, and manual labor.'"
Self-Esteem - "The person who wants to engage fully in spiritual combat... should not do anything with a view to being praised by other people,but who should seek God's reward only."
Pride - "...perfection in holiness can only be achieved through humility. Humility, in received turn, can be achieved only through faith, fear of God, gentleness, and the shedding of all possessions."
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Mass in Heaven
The New Testament is based on the Old Testament and the Old anticipates the New. Moses had twelve tribes, Jesus twelve disciples. Moses turned water into blood. Jesus turned water into wine. Jesus can be seen as the new Moses of the new covenant of the new law.
The last sign Moses performed before the Exodus was Passover. Jesus transformed the Last Supper into the New Passover. One had to eat the Lamb at Passover to ensure safety for the firstborn. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He sacrificed himself in the new Passover - in the Eucharist. The Passover of the Old Testament is fulfilled in the Eucharist.
The Mass is revealed in the Apocalypse. In the Book of Revelation Jesus is called the Lamb of God 28 times in 22 chapters. The only thing in Revelation on every page is the Liturgy. White robes, songs, prayers. Every page of every chapter the Heavenly Liturgy corresponds to the Earthly Mass. The Rite of Communion is the Marriage feast of the Lamb.
Heavenly Liturgy and Earthly Mass are one in the same. Liturgy in Heaven, however, is far more glorious than can be described. We can go to Heaven here on Earth. That is where we are in Mass.
Align your sufferings with His by attending Mass.
Is there Mass in heaven?
The last sign Moses performed before the Exodus was Passover. Jesus transformed the Last Supper into the New Passover. One had to eat the Lamb at Passover to ensure safety for the firstborn. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He sacrificed himself in the new Passover - in the Eucharist. The Passover of the Old Testament is fulfilled in the Eucharist.
The Mass is revealed in the Apocalypse. In the Book of Revelation Jesus is called the Lamb of God 28 times in 22 chapters. The only thing in Revelation on every page is the Liturgy. White robes, songs, prayers. Every page of every chapter the Heavenly Liturgy corresponds to the Earthly Mass. The Rite of Communion is the Marriage feast of the Lamb.
Heavenly Liturgy and Earthly Mass are one in the same. Liturgy in Heaven, however, is far more glorious than can be described. We can go to Heaven here on Earth. That is where we are in Mass.
Align your sufferings with His by attending Mass.
Is there Mass in heaven?
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Torture
St. Isaac Jogues suffered more than mere death as a martyr, just like Christ he was tortured for the faith. As such, Isaac was an inspiration for those of us who suffer.
His suffering came as a result of spiritual warfare. He faced the demons with the faith and determination of St. Paul but with the help of Christ on the cross defeated them.
"How often on the stately trees of the forests did I carve the most sacred name of Jesus, so that, seeing it, the demons might fly, who tremble when they hear it!" said Saint Jogues in 1643. "How often, too, did I strip off the bark to form the most Holy Cross of the Lord, so that the foe might fly before it; and that by it, Thou, O Lord, my King, 'might reign in the midst of thy enemies' (Psalms 109:2), the enemies of thy Cross (Philippians 3:18), the disbeliever and the pagan who dwell in that land, and the demons who rule so fearfully there!"
Another saint
His suffering came as a result of spiritual warfare. He faced the demons with the faith and determination of St. Paul but with the help of Christ on the cross defeated them.
"How often on the stately trees of the forests did I carve the most sacred name of Jesus, so that, seeing it, the demons might fly, who tremble when they hear it!" said Saint Jogues in 1643. "How often, too, did I strip off the bark to form the most Holy Cross of the Lord, so that the foe might fly before it; and that by it, Thou, O Lord, my King, 'might reign in the midst of thy enemies' (Psalms 109:2), the enemies of thy Cross (Philippians 3:18), the disbeliever and the pagan who dwell in that land, and the demons who rule so fearfully there!"
Another saint
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Genuine Healing
Greg Griffin a former occultist and now Christian has some powerful insight on healing,
"Many people come to faith in Christ and think some magic wand will
be waved over them, and all will be okay. But genuine healing doesn't work that
way. When I came out of the occult then truly found Jesus at age forty, I
experienced a season of trials, brokenness, crushing, and remolding by God. I
went through some of the most painful times I've ever had in my life. But I
found this truth along the way: Satan likes to hurt us; he wants to kill,
steal, and destroy. But when God breaks us, it is for our own good! God has to
get all the dross and evil out of us (purgation). The process is not pleasant, to be sure,
but He only allows us to go through that kind of difficulty because He knows it
will bless us."
Potholes in life are there to bless us
Potholes in life are there to bless us
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Purgatory
God has made you a promise. But what if it is not yet fulfilled and you were to die today without the divine perfection you are promised yet completed? I can only say for myself that, if I were to die today, as far as I know I am not aware of mortal sin. But I am also aware of not being perfect. I am not even close to being humanly perfect, let alone having the perfection of the heavenly Father!
But Jesus made me a promise: You must be prefect as the heavenly Father is perfect. And the last time I checked, Jesus is a promise keeper!. St. Paul says, May God who has begun a good work in you bring it to completion. Hence, If I were to die today, Jesus would need to complete a work that he has begun in me. By God’s grace, I have come a mighty long way. But I have a long way to go. God is very holy and his perfection is beyond imagining.
Because of God's mercy and grace, we can use our present day suffering (here on earth) to perfect ourselves and (in union with the work of Christ) merit salvation for others, Our sufferings need not go to waste.
Purgatory
But Jesus made me a promise: You must be prefect as the heavenly Father is perfect. And the last time I checked, Jesus is a promise keeper!. St. Paul says, May God who has begun a good work in you bring it to completion. Hence, If I were to die today, Jesus would need to complete a work that he has begun in me. By God’s grace, I have come a mighty long way. But I have a long way to go. God is very holy and his perfection is beyond imagining.
Because of God's mercy and grace, we can use our present day suffering (here on earth) to perfect ourselves and (in union with the work of Christ) merit salvation for others, Our sufferings need not go to waste.
Purgatory
Friday, November 2, 2012
All Souls
Being able to pray for souls in purgatory in order to achieve the fullness of salvation is very healing. We can offer up our own sufferings (in union with Christ) for the sake of our loved ones who have died.
The pope urged people to "believe more strongly in eternal life and feel in true communion with our departed loved ones," who will be commemorated on the feast of All Souls, Nov. 2.
"May the intercession of all the saints lead us and our departed loved ones to our everlasting home in heaven."
All Souls
The pope urged people to "believe more strongly in eternal life and feel in true communion with our departed loved ones," who will be commemorated on the feast of All Souls, Nov. 2.
"May the intercession of all the saints lead us and our departed loved ones to our everlasting home in heaven."
All Souls
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Truths of Church
Christ continues His work today through the Church (His Body). Priests continue His Sacramental work, nuns express His marriage to mankind, His Body feeds us through the Eucharist, His beauty is expressed through art and His Resurrection through the saints.
5 Videos that make the point
5 Videos that make the point
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Faith is an Act
God has given us free will. We should all take personal responsibility for our actions. When our actions have negative consequences we suffer. It isn't enough therefore, to expect God to fix it for us. We must act in collaboration with His will to straighten things out in our lives.
This is what the Holy Father meant the other day when he said that faith is an act.
"Faith is not simply a matter of man’s intellectual assent to truths about God; it is an act whereby I freely entrust myself to a God who is a Father and who loves me; it means clinging to a “Thou” who gives me hope and confidence. To be sure, this adherence to God is not devoid of content: it enables us to know that God himself revealed himself to us in Christ."
We must act like Christians to stay in God's grace and receive His benefits. Simply saying , "we are Christian" or that "we love the Lord" will not do.
Read more
Read more
This is what the Holy Father meant the other day when he said that faith is an act.
"Faith is not simply a matter of man’s intellectual assent to truths about God; it is an act whereby I freely entrust myself to a God who is a Father and who loves me; it means clinging to a “Thou” who gives me hope and confidence. To be sure, this adherence to God is not devoid of content: it enables us to know that God himself revealed himself to us in Christ."
We must act like Christians to stay in God's grace and receive His benefits. Simply saying , "we are Christian" or that "we love the Lord" will not do.
Read more
Read more
Friday, October 26, 2012
The Devil is Tricky
Satan uses our pride against us. It is better to be humble. We must always stay on guard against the devil's influences through prayer, the Sacraments of the Church, fasting and self-surrender for the sake of others. Much suffering can come from evil while true peace comes through the Holy Spirit.
Be careful of Satan's deception. Even the most well-intentioned can be deceived -- in matters of the world or spirit. In the realm of mystical, this can even happen with "gifts of the Spirit" -- such as healing. It's one reason the Church is so careful.
Read more
Be careful of Satan's deception. Even the most well-intentioned can be deceived -- in matters of the world or spirit. In the realm of mystical, this can even happen with "gifts of the Spirit" -- such as healing. It's one reason the Church is so careful.
Read more
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
The Holy Mass
One of the best things a Christian can do during times of personal suffering is to participate in the Holy Mass. Align your sufferings with Christ and offer them to God as a redemptive act.
The Power of the Mass if for you! It is the sacrifice of sacrifices, because it is the sacrifice of God for US. There is NO better activity that anyone in the entire world can do than attend a Mass in the state of grace, and receive Jesus in the Eucharist. Like the Blessed Virgin Mary, we become living tabernacles of God after Communion! Through time and space, we connect with the original Last Supper (the Church does not re-sacrifice Jesus at each mass; rather, each Mass is a re-creation of the original Mass).
St. John Vianney said,
A Guide to the Holy Mass
The Power of the Mass if for you! It is the sacrifice of sacrifices, because it is the sacrifice of God for US. There is NO better activity that anyone in the entire world can do than attend a Mass in the state of grace, and receive Jesus in the Eucharist. Like the Blessed Virgin Mary, we become living tabernacles of God after Communion! Through time and space, we connect with the original Last Supper (the Church does not re-sacrifice Jesus at each mass; rather, each Mass is a re-creation of the original Mass).
St. John Vianney said,
All Good Works together are not of equal value with the sacrifice of the Mass,
because they are the works of men, and the holy Mass is the work of God.
Martyrdom is nothing in comparison; it is the sacrifice that man makes of his
life to God; the Mass is the sacrifice that God makes to man of His Body and of
His Blood. Oh, how great is a priest! if he understood himself he would die. . .
. God obeys him; he speaks two words, and Our Lord comes down from Heaven at his
voice, and shuts Himself up in a little Host. God looks upon the altar. "That is
My well-beloved Son, " He says, "in whom I am well-pleased. " He can refuse
nothing to the merits of the offering of this Victim. If we had faith, we should
see God hidden in the priest like a light behind a glass, like wine mingled with
water.
A Guide to the Holy Mass
Saturday, October 20, 2012
The Humble Servant
Suffering humbles us while humility strengthens our faith. Suffering therefore, serves a purpose in the spiritual life. Recently the Holy Father said:
When you look to rid your own pride you are free to love because you then can see the layers of imperfection around others as something not to criticize but to pray to cast off (in His Name, cast it out!) so you can love the essence of a person. This is the "true" you: the one who is "prideless."
As Catholics, our Spiritual Leaders can be effective models of humility for us. Perhaps no greater characteristic can a priest possess than that of a humble servant.
Fr. Andrew Apostoli C.F.R. is an example of a humble priest. As a founding member of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, Father Apostoli has an acute awareness of the "deep sense and awe of humanity" and he always strives to "love the essence" of every person, especially the poor.
His order is dedicated to the humble service of others. Father Apostoli brings a great wealth of spiritual and practical wisdom gained from personal experience. His classical book on the Works of Mercy is just one of many examples. He states, "The works of mercy provide us with the opportunity to let every person know he is a child of God and a brother in Christ. From the works of mercy will emerge a community of love and peace centered on Christ."
Fr. Andrew is one of the 100 individuals highlited on Brandon Vogt's blog in an effort to promote Catholic Speakers.
The following is a link to more of Fr. Andrew's books and tapes.
The New Evangelization calls for new humility. The Gospel cannot thrive in pride. When pride seeps into the heart of the Church, the Gospel proclamation is harmed. The task of new evangelization must begin with a deep sense of awe and reverence for humanity and her culture. Evangelization has been hurt and continues to be impeded by the arrogance of its messengers. The heirarchy must shun arrogance, hypocrisy and bigotry. We must punish the errant among us instead of covering up our own mistakes. We are humans among our human flock. All our beauty and holiness we owe to God. This humility will make us more credible New Evangelizers. Our mission is to propose humbly not to impose proudly.
When you look to rid your own pride you are free to love because you then can see the layers of imperfection around others as something not to criticize but to pray to cast off (in His Name, cast it out!) so you can love the essence of a person. This is the "true" you: the one who is "prideless."
As Catholics, our Spiritual Leaders can be effective models of humility for us. Perhaps no greater characteristic can a priest possess than that of a humble servant.
Fr. Andrew Apostoli C.F.R. is an example of a humble priest. As a founding member of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, Father Apostoli has an acute awareness of the "deep sense and awe of humanity" and he always strives to "love the essence" of every person, especially the poor.
His order is dedicated to the humble service of others. Father Apostoli brings a great wealth of spiritual and practical wisdom gained from personal experience. His classical book on the Works of Mercy is just one of many examples. He states, "The works of mercy provide us with the opportunity to let every person know he is a child of God and a brother in Christ. From the works of mercy will emerge a community of love and peace centered on Christ."
Fr. Andrew is one of the 100 individuals highlited on Brandon Vogt's blog in an effort to promote Catholic Speakers.
The following is a link to more of Fr. Andrew's books and tapes.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Doubt
Doubting God can cause undo suffering. We must never doubt the love of God.
No one is immune to doubt. It can and does happen to us all. You've just got to know how to handle it when it comes. Even the greatest men and women of God recorded in the Bible had to deal with doubt. Jesus said of John the Baptist,
"Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist" (Matt. 11:11).
That means John was greater in the sight of Jesus than Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, or any Old Testament character you can name. Yet John doubted the most important thing of all by questioning whether Jesus was really the Christ.
John the Baptist had been cast into prison for criticizing Herod about marrying his brother’s wife, an incestuous relationship. He had been there sometime between six months and two years and became so discouraged that he asked two of his disciples to go to Jesus and ask Him if He really was the Christ. It's easy to read that and not think much about it, but the truth is, it was nothing but unbelief on the part of John the Baptist.
Overcome Doubt
No one is immune to doubt. It can and does happen to us all. You've just got to know how to handle it when it comes. Even the greatest men and women of God recorded in the Bible had to deal with doubt. Jesus said of John the Baptist,
"Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist" (Matt. 11:11).
That means John was greater in the sight of Jesus than Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, or any Old Testament character you can name. Yet John doubted the most important thing of all by questioning whether Jesus was really the Christ.
John the Baptist had been cast into prison for criticizing Herod about marrying his brother’s wife, an incestuous relationship. He had been there sometime between six months and two years and became so discouraged that he asked two of his disciples to go to Jesus and ask Him if He really was the Christ. It's easy to read that and not think much about it, but the truth is, it was nothing but unbelief on the part of John the Baptist.
Overcome Doubt
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Sacrifice of the Mass
Where in the New Testament do we find the "Sacrifice of the Mass"?
Those who witnessed Jesus on Calvary were mostly Jewish people who understood a "sacrifice" as something taking place with a priest at the temple during Passover. What they saw on Calvary was an execution.
How does a Roman execution therefore, get transformed into a sacrifice? St. Paul himself gives an early explanation. Jesus' sacrifice is correlated with the Passover.
Catholics continue to celebrate the New Passover during Mass as Christ consecrates the bread and wine into His Body and Blood through the person of the ordained priest.
This means Christians offer their suffering with Jesus at Mass who redeems it through His blood.
Hear Scott Hahn
Those who witnessed Jesus on Calvary were mostly Jewish people who understood a "sacrifice" as something taking place with a priest at the temple during Passover. What they saw on Calvary was an execution.
How does a Roman execution therefore, get transformed into a sacrifice? St. Paul himself gives an early explanation. Jesus' sacrifice is correlated with the Passover.
Catholics continue to celebrate the New Passover during Mass as Christ consecrates the bread and wine into His Body and Blood through the person of the ordained priest.
This means Christians offer their suffering with Jesus at Mass who redeems it through His blood.
Hear Scott Hahn
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Humility
Suffering humbles us while humility strengthens our faith. Therefore suffering has a purpose in our spiritual life. Recently the Holy Father said:
Read here
The new evangelization calls for new
humility. The Gospel cannot thrive in pride. When
pride seeps into the heart of the Church, the Gospel proclamation is harmed. The
task of new evangelization must begin with a deep sense of awe and
reverence for humanity and her culture. Evangelization has been hurt
and continues to be impeded by the arrogance of its messengers. The
hierarchy must shun arrogance, hypocrisy and
bigotry. We must punish the errant among us instead of covering up our own
mistakes. We are humans among our human flock. All our beauty and holiness we
owe to God. This humility will make us more credible new evangelizers. Our
mission is to propose humbly not to impose proudly.
When you look to rid your own pride you are free to
love because you then can see the layers of imperfection around others as
something not to criticize but to pray to cast off (in His Name, cast it out!)
so you can love the essence of the person. This is the "true" you: the one who
is "prideless."
Read here
Friday, October 5, 2012
The Mass Saves Us
We need to go to Mass to overcome suffering. Mass is the re-presentation of the Paschal Mystery (Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ). Therefore, Christians need to be incorporated into this in order to achieve salvation. Recently the Holy Father elaborated on this point.
The Church, as Christ’s Mystical Body and united with him, offers worship to the Father. By identifying ourselves with Christ in his prayer to the Father, we rediscover our deepest identity as Christians, as children of “Our Father who art in heaven”. The liturgy is also an encounter of the whole Christ, that is, with Christ and his body the Church. Thus, the liturgy is a sharing in the prayer of the living, universal community of believers in Christ. Prayer becomes the habitual realization of the presence of God, as we make the words of the Church our own, and learn to speak in her and through her. The Church is most truly itself in the liturgy, as it is the place where God comes to us and enters our lives. Let us remember that the liturgy is celebrated for God, not for us; it is his work; he is its subject. For our part, in the liturgy we must leave ourselves open to be guided by him and by his Body, the Church.
Read the rest
The Church, as Christ’s Mystical Body and united with him, offers worship to the Father. By identifying ourselves with Christ in his prayer to the Father, we rediscover our deepest identity as Christians, as children of “Our Father who art in heaven”. The liturgy is also an encounter of the whole Christ, that is, with Christ and his body the Church. Thus, the liturgy is a sharing in the prayer of the living, universal community of believers in Christ. Prayer becomes the habitual realization of the presence of God, as we make the words of the Church our own, and learn to speak in her and through her. The Church is most truly itself in the liturgy, as it is the place where God comes to us and enters our lives. Let us remember that the liturgy is celebrated for God, not for us; it is his work; he is its subject. For our part, in the liturgy we must leave ourselves open to be guided by him and by his Body, the Church.
Read the rest
Monday, October 1, 2012
How Many will be Saved
Most today simply presume that the vast majority of people on the planet will be saved, ultimately, no matter what. This position is not only only non-biblical, but it also offends against human freedom by rendering our decisions ultimately meaningless, in terms of our destiny. The dismissal of the biblical teaching of judgment and Hell as simply untenable to modern thought. “How could an all-loving God send anyone to Hell?” goes the modern thinking. Never mind that no one spoke of hell more than Jesus Christ, and no one warned of judgement more vividly than He, who is love itself. The fact is, most Catholics feel very comfortable, and very confident, in simply dismissing Hell is a plausible reality for the vast majority of the human family.
The fact is God wants all to go to heaven. Unfortunately not all choose to do so. Jesus warned us about hell out of love. We have free will because God doesn't force. We should ask God for the grace to choose wisely and try to live a Sacramental Life.
Read more
The fact is God wants all to go to heaven. Unfortunately not all choose to do so. Jesus warned us about hell out of love. We have free will because God doesn't force. We should ask God for the grace to choose wisely and try to live a Sacramental Life.
Read more
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Power Over the Devil
If you are in spiritual warfare with evil and the devil, return to the Sacraments which, according to St. Thomas Aquinas is the principal cause of Sanctifying Grace. Sacramental Grace will protect us from evil and save our souls.
The Sacrament with perhaps the greatest power over the devil is Holy Orders. This Sacrament gives a man the power (as a priest) to forgive sins and change bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. The devil fears this and has absolutely no power over him.
A woman who converted from being a practicing Satanist to a Catholic once said, "I used to take pleasure bringing born-again Christians to their knees if they tried either 'exorcising' my demons or speaking to me of Jesus' love. Protestants of all denominations were also 'sport' as they quickly buckled under my power when they tried to convert me. However even back then I feared the Catholic priest as I knew, as did my demons, that I was no match for the power that came through him from God."
Christians need to return to the power of the Sacraments to defeat evil, suffering and the devil.
Read the rest
The Sacrament with perhaps the greatest power over the devil is Holy Orders. This Sacrament gives a man the power (as a priest) to forgive sins and change bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. The devil fears this and has absolutely no power over him.
A woman who converted from being a practicing Satanist to a Catholic once said, "I used to take pleasure bringing born-again Christians to their knees if they tried either 'exorcising' my demons or speaking to me of Jesus' love. Protestants of all denominations were also 'sport' as they quickly buckled under my power when they tried to convert me. However even back then I feared the Catholic priest as I knew, as did my demons, that I was no match for the power that came through him from God."
Christians need to return to the power of the Sacraments to defeat evil, suffering and the devil.
Read the rest
Sunday, September 23, 2012
My Thoughts are not Your Thoughts
If we want to end our sadness and misery we must change the way we think, act and behave. This is impossible to do on our own, yet possible through the grace of Christ.
We must be crucified with Christ so we can say with St. Paul, "Not I, but Christ lives in me!"
It is really a dying to pride. We all have our own opinions and want to do things our own way. This doesn't work. The true disciple is humble who will put on the mind of Christ (that is accept all His Church teaches).
The Holy Father (leader of Christ's Church) recently made this point in his Angelus:
We must be crucified with Christ so we can say with St. Paul, "Not I, but Christ lives in me!"
It is really a dying to pride. We all have our own opinions and want to do things our own way. This doesn't work. The true disciple is humble who will put on the mind of Christ (that is accept all His Church teaches).
The Holy Father (leader of Christ's Church) recently made this point in his Angelus:
What does all this say to us? It reminds us that God's logic is always “other”
with respect to our own, as God Himself revealed through the mouth of the
prophet Isaiah: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts / nor are your ways my
ways” (Is 55:8). For this reason, following the Lord requires of every person a
profound conversion, a change in his or her way of thinking and living, it
requires an opening of the heart to listen, in order to allow oneself to be
enlightened and interiorly transformed. A key point in which God and man are
different is pride: In God, there is no pride, because He is absolute fullness,
and is completely given to love and to give live; in us, on the other hand,
pride is deeply rooted and requires constant vigilance and purification. We, who
are little, desire to appear great, to be the first, while God, who is truly
great, does not fear to humble Himself and make Himself the last. The Virgin
Mary is perfectly “in tune” with God: Let us invoke her with confidence, that
she might teach us to faithfully follow Jesus along the way of love and
humility.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Why God Says No
It is very natural to have desires and yearn for something or someone. It is also very difficult when someone says "no" to our wants and needs, especially if that person is someone we love.
God does this sometimes.
We’ve all experienced those occasions when our prayers seem to have gone “unanswered”. Given the many comments in the Bible regarding the Lord hearing our prayers, could there really be such a thing as “unanswered prayer”? While the obvious answer is “no”, why is it that we sometimes ask but don’t receive?
In order to answer this question, let’s first be honest about what we mean by “unanswered prayer”. Basically, when we use this term, we’re not saying God didn’t answer, but rather that His answer was “no”. This leads to another important question (and one that IS answerable), “Why does God sometimes say ‘no’”? Let’s open up the Bible and look at some reasons why the Lord may deny our requests:
Read the rest
God does this sometimes.
We’ve all experienced those occasions when our prayers seem to have gone “unanswered”. Given the many comments in the Bible regarding the Lord hearing our prayers, could there really be such a thing as “unanswered prayer”? While the obvious answer is “no”, why is it that we sometimes ask but don’t receive?
In order to answer this question, let’s first be honest about what we mean by “unanswered prayer”. Basically, when we use this term, we’re not saying God didn’t answer, but rather that His answer was “no”. This leads to another important question (and one that IS answerable), “Why does God sometimes say ‘no’”? Let’s open up the Bible and look at some reasons why the Lord may deny our requests:
Read the rest
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Be Open - End Misery
In Lebanon the Pope spoke to a crowd of youth on how to overcome misery and achieve happiness,
Christ asks you, then, to do as he did: to be completely open to others, even if they belong to a different cultural, religious or national group. Making space for them, respecting them, being good to them, making them ever more rich in humanity and firm in the peace of the Lord. I know that many among you take part in various activities sponsored by parishes, schools, movements and associations. It is a fine thing to be engaged with and for others. Experiencing together moments of friendship and joy enables us to resist the onset of division, which must always be rejected! Brotherhood is a foretaste of heaven! The vocation of Christ’s disciples is to be “leaven” in the lump, as Saint Paul says: “a little leaven leavens the whole lump” (Gal 5:9). Be heralds of the Gospel of life and life’s authentic values. Courageously resist everything opposed to life: abortion, violence, rejection of and contempt for others, injustice and war. In this way you will spread peace all around you. Are not “peacemakers” those whom in the end we admire the most? Is it not a world of peace that, deep down, we want for ourselves and for others? سَلامي Ø£ُعطيكُÙ… – My peace I give to you! (Jn 14:27), Jesus says. He overcame evil not with more evil, but by taking evil upon himself and destroying it completely on the cross through a love lived to the very end. Truly discovering God’s forgiveness and mercy always enables us to begin a new life. It is not easy to forgive. But God’s forgiveness grants the power of conversion, and the joy of being able to forgive in turn. Forgiveness and reconciliation are the paths of peace; they open up a future.
Dear friends, a number of you are surely asking in a more or less conscious way: What is it that God expects of me? What is his plan for me? Wouldn’t I like to proclaim to the world the grandeur of his love in the priesthood, in the consecrated life or in marriage? Might not Christ be calling me to follow him more closely? Think about these questions with confidence and trust. Take time to reflect on them and ask for enlightenment. Respond to his invitation by offering yourselves daily to the Lord, for he calls you to be his friends. Strive to follow Christ wholeheartedly and generously, for out of love he redeemed us and gave his life for each one of us. You will come to know inconceivable joy and fulfilment! To answer Christ’s call to each of us: that is the secret of true peace.
Read the rest
Christ asks you, then, to do as he did: to be completely open to others, even if they belong to a different cultural, religious or national group. Making space for them, respecting them, being good to them, making them ever more rich in humanity and firm in the peace of the Lord. I know that many among you take part in various activities sponsored by parishes, schools, movements and associations. It is a fine thing to be engaged with and for others. Experiencing together moments of friendship and joy enables us to resist the onset of division, which must always be rejected! Brotherhood is a foretaste of heaven! The vocation of Christ’s disciples is to be “leaven” in the lump, as Saint Paul says: “a little leaven leavens the whole lump” (Gal 5:9). Be heralds of the Gospel of life and life’s authentic values. Courageously resist everything opposed to life: abortion, violence, rejection of and contempt for others, injustice and war. In this way you will spread peace all around you. Are not “peacemakers” those whom in the end we admire the most? Is it not a world of peace that, deep down, we want for ourselves and for others? سَلامي Ø£ُعطيكُÙ… – My peace I give to you! (Jn 14:27), Jesus says. He overcame evil not with more evil, but by taking evil upon himself and destroying it completely on the cross through a love lived to the very end. Truly discovering God’s forgiveness and mercy always enables us to begin a new life. It is not easy to forgive. But God’s forgiveness grants the power of conversion, and the joy of being able to forgive in turn. Forgiveness and reconciliation are the paths of peace; they open up a future.
Dear friends, a number of you are surely asking in a more or less conscious way: What is it that God expects of me? What is his plan for me? Wouldn’t I like to proclaim to the world the grandeur of his love in the priesthood, in the consecrated life or in marriage? Might not Christ be calling me to follow him more closely? Think about these questions with confidence and trust. Take time to reflect on them and ask for enlightenment. Respond to his invitation by offering yourselves daily to the Lord, for he calls you to be his friends. Strive to follow Christ wholeheartedly and generously, for out of love he redeemed us and gave his life for each one of us. You will come to know inconceivable joy and fulfilment! To answer Christ’s call to each of us: that is the secret of true peace.
Read the rest
Friday, September 14, 2012
Triumph of the Holy Cross
Today is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Just as the evil one brought destruction from a tree, Christ brings salvation from one. This instruemnt of pain and suffering is used to transform our own.
As the Holy Father said, “For Christians, to exalt the cross means to be united to the totality of God’s unconditional love for mankind. It means making an act of faith!” he said.
“To exalt the cross, against the backdrop of the resurrection, means to desire to experience and to show the totality of this love. It means making an act of love!”
“To exalt the cross means to be a committed herald of fraternal and ecclesial communion, the source of authentic Christian witness. It means making an act of hope!”
All Christians should venerate crosses (wear crucifixes and hang them in their homes) as a reminder that Christ will overcome and conquer suffering.
Read the rest
As the Holy Father said, “For Christians, to exalt the cross means to be united to the totality of God’s unconditional love for mankind. It means making an act of faith!” he said.
“To exalt the cross, against the backdrop of the resurrection, means to desire to experience and to show the totality of this love. It means making an act of love!”
“To exalt the cross means to be a committed herald of fraternal and ecclesial communion, the source of authentic Christian witness. It means making an act of hope!”
All Christians should venerate crosses (wear crucifixes and hang them in their homes) as a reminder that Christ will overcome and conquer suffering.
Read the rest
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Listen to God
"Inundated by so many words, we are not inclined to listen to what God tells
us," and "our prayer must first be Listening to God" and "praise of God," not
only , "as it is usually, of request," Benedict XVI said in his
reflections with the faithful.
Much of our difficulty stems from failing to really listen. We may talk a lot in prayer but unless we hear the voice of God our struggle remains.
We hear God's inner voice through meditation and contemplation (sitting still in a room). The trick is to learn not to react the negative thoughts as we are still. By remaining calm, we become "wrapped in the love of Christ".
Read the rest
Much of our difficulty stems from failing to really listen. We may talk a lot in prayer but unless we hear the voice of God our struggle remains.
We hear God's inner voice through meditation and contemplation (sitting still in a room). The trick is to learn not to react the negative thoughts as we are still. By remaining calm, we become "wrapped in the love of Christ".
Read the rest
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Open Your Heart
Suffering can result from isolation (when we close ourselves off from God and other people). There lies a danger of an "inner closing" which covers the deepest core of the person, what the bible calls the "heart".
Jesus came to open and liberate us, to enable us to fully live our relationship with God and with others. This is why the word, "Ephphatha - Be opened", sums up Christ’s entire mission.
Holy Father's Remarks
Jesus came to open and liberate us, to enable us to fully live our relationship with God and with others. This is why the word, "Ephphatha - Be opened", sums up Christ’s entire mission.
Holy Father's Remarks
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Mother Teresa
Blessed Mother Teresa is an example of a person who transforms suffering into joy. She did this primarily through dedicating her life to serving the poor.
The “ABCs” of Blessed Mother Teresa
Ave Maria Meditations
 Always have the courage to say sorryBe kind, be compassionate Control your judgements Don’t let yourself get discouraged Every minute is precious don’t waste your time Find out what is nice in each other Give until it hurts Have deep respect for each other If you really want to love God, love one another Just do small things with great love Keep your heart clean Learn to pray, love to pray, and pray often Make time for each other in your family Never tell lies Only believe you are precious to HIM Put love in whatever you do Quite alot of people have forgotten what love is, so begin to give the joy of loving Refrain from prejudice Smile at each other Take the trouble to listen Use your talents for the glory of God Very often, we look but we don’t see. Let us look AND see When humiliation comes, accept it and offer it eXcuse rather than accuse You must learn to forgive Zeal is a second name for love. Do not lose that zeal! Sign for Our Times |
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Die to Self for Christ to Rise - In You
The previous post suggests "finding" oneself. Christianity however, ultimately calls us beyond that (freely choosing to sacrifice ourselves for God and others).
The death of "self" is important to God. This a crucial lesson in an era of materialism, pride, and the "Me" Generation. God wants us to be absolutely truthful, totally honest, and prayerful (before making decisions). Our decisions should be in accordance with what God wants. In this way we begin to take off the "old self" and put on the "new".
Unless we die to our own wants as Fr. Phil Quealy recently stated, we risk replacing ourselves as "saviors" (not Christ), thus falling into the trap of the false prophets.
Our true call on the other hand, is for Christ to arise anew in each one of us.
We die to ourselves through contemplation (while ceasing the business and activity of the day). Through being still in quiet prayer, we realize that God is God.
It is best to contemplate at least 15 minutes each day before the Blessed Sacrament in a church (to actually see Jesus). If this is not possible, then alone in any room will suffice.
The death of "self" is important to God. This a crucial lesson in an era of materialism, pride, and the "Me" Generation. God wants us to be absolutely truthful, totally honest, and prayerful (before making decisions). Our decisions should be in accordance with what God wants. In this way we begin to take off the "old self" and put on the "new".
Unless we die to our own wants as Fr. Phil Quealy recently stated, we risk replacing ourselves as "saviors" (not Christ), thus falling into the trap of the false prophets.
Our true call on the other hand, is for Christ to arise anew in each one of us.
We die to ourselves through contemplation (while ceasing the business and activity of the day). Through being still in quiet prayer, we realize that God is God.
It is best to contemplate at least 15 minutes each day before the Blessed Sacrament in a church (to actually see Jesus). If this is not possible, then alone in any room will suffice.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
You are an Individual - Find Yourself
To "Know Thyself" is the basis of philosophical wisdom. When we attain knowledge of self and the reason for our existence, we are truly fulfilled. Contrarily, a lack of this knowledge can cause undue suffering in our lives.
God created each of us as unique individuals. This is proven by both science and Revelation. God wants us to live with Him for eternity, He wills that all be saved. Since we each have been given the dignity to freely choose our own destiny, our individual will must conform with the Father's.
We must find God to find our true selves (or allow God to find us). When this happens we encounter a deep, inner peace.
Note: Even when a man and woman marry, and the two become one flesh, individual identity remains. Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers explains this by the way of the Covenantal Love God has for His people and the Spousal love Christ has for His Church.
God created each of us as unique individuals. This is proven by both science and Revelation. God wants us to live with Him for eternity, He wills that all be saved. Since we each have been given the dignity to freely choose our own destiny, our individual will must conform with the Father's.
We must find God to find our true selves (or allow God to find us). When this happens we encounter a deep, inner peace.
Note: Even when a man and woman marry, and the two become one flesh, individual identity remains. Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers explains this by the way of the Covenantal Love God has for His people and the Spousal love Christ has for His Church.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)